Get ready to howl in terror because Robert Eggers is back with Werwulf, and the first set photos hint at a bone-chilling, blood-soaked journey into the supernatural. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is this medieval werewolf tale the darkest thing Eggers has ever created, or is he just leaning too heavily on his signature style? Let’s dive in.
The UK set of Werwulf has unleashed its first glimpses, giving fans a sneak peek at Aaron Taylor-Johnson in what promises to be a savage and transformative role. If you loved the eerie, atmospheric horror of Nosferatu, you’re in for a treat—Eggers is doubling down on the supernatural, and these photos prove it. And this is the part most people miss: The film isn’t just a werewolf story; it’s a meticulously crafted historical nightmare set in 13th-century England, complete with Old English dialogue and annotations for the uninitiated.
Joining Taylor-Johnson are Willem Dafoe and Lily-Rose Depp, who looks utterly unrecognizable in her new role. Depp, who played Ellen Hutter in Nosferatu, returns as the female lead, while Taylor-Johnson steps into the claws of a character seemingly mid-transformation. The set photos from Dartmoor’s rugged landscape show him wild-haired and blood-streaked, teetering on the edge of a primal change. It’s not full monster mode yet, but the intensity is palpable.
Eggers, fresh off the massive success of Nosferatu, is sticking to his roots with Werwulf. Co-written with his The Northman collaborator Sjón, the film marks his return to Focus Features and his obsession with unsettling, historically rich worlds. Here’s the bold question: Is Eggers’ reliance on dark, period-specific horror a stroke of genius or a creative crutch? Let us know in the comments.
While plot details remain under wraps, we know this is a full-on werewolf movie with a script described as both authentic and accessible. Eggers originally planned to shoot in black and white, but even without that stylistic choice, the film feels quintessentially his. During a Film at Lincoln Center Q&A, he warned audiences that Werwulf is the ‘darkest thing’ he’s ever written—a medieval horror so intense it dwarfs his previous work.
Slated for a Christmas Day 2026 release, Werwulf promises to bring a fiercely different kind of holiday spirit. Horror fans, brace yourselves—this one’s shaping up to be unforgettable. But the real question remains: Can Eggers outdo himself, or is he simply rehashing his greatest hits? Share your thoughts below!
